Student Spotlight: Cheyenne and Eratee

From Setback to Success: Two Project Graduate Students Begin Their Journey at Ivy Tech

For Cheyenne and Eratee, this wasn’t just the start of a new semester—it was the beginning of a long-awaited dream.

Both women are recent graduates of Project Graduate, a program offered by The Literacy Alliance to help adult learners earn their high school equivalency diplomas. After months of commitment, personal growth, and academic milestones, Eratee and Cheyenne are now enrolled at Ivy Tech Community College, supported by the Schlichtenmyer Scholarship. Their stories are different, but their determination is the same.

Eratee has spent her life caring for others. A natural caregiver with a kind heart and an unwavering sense of purpose, she always dreamed of becoming a nurse. But like so many adults, life’s responsibilities got in the way of her education. That dream was tucked away for years—until she found her way to The Literacy Alliance.

Through Project Graduate, Eratee earned her diploma and found the encouragement she needed to believe in herself again. Now, with her first college courses underway at Ivy Tech, she’s one step closer to becoming a registered nurse. “This is just the beginning,” she said, “and I’m finally where I’m meant to be.”

Cheyenne’s path was equally transformative. After leaving school at 16, she spent years unsure of what her future would look like. It wasn’t until she joined The Literacy Alliance that she began to see new possibilities. Rediscovering her love of learning, she worked hard to earn her diploma and set her sights on a career in medical coding—a field that will allow her to combine her analytical skills and attention to detail with a stable future for her family.

Now, as a first-time college student at Ivy Tech, Cheyenne is filled with hope. “I never thought I’d go back to school,” she shared. “But now I know I can do anything I put my mind to.”

At The Literacy Alliance, stories like Eratee’s and Cheyenne’s remind us why we do this work. Literacy changes lives. It opens doors, builds confidence, and empowers people to create new futures for themselves and their families. We’re proud to partner with Ivy Tech to help make those futures possible.

If you or someone you know is looking for a second chance at education, Project Graduate and other programs at The Literacy Alliance offer free, personalized support to help adults take that next step.